36 weeks - just how exhausted is normal?

[echops]

I'm now 36 weeks and baby is currently around 7lb. Whilst I've not felt particularly great during the whole pregnancy, the last week has been something else. My lower abdomen aches dreadfully, I'm so breathless I end up with a racing heart when I climb the stairs and I just feel like a slow moving oil tanker. Is this normal?!

yes not long now, hang in there

hi there

oh I remember this feeling!

it's probably a combination of the fact that you are hauling around baby plus water plus placenta (so somewhere in the region of an extra stone and a half/2 stone..) plus if the head isn't engaged yet your lungs will be super squished by now - particularly if you're not tall or have a short torso.

If it makes you feel any better I'm nearly 39 weeks and the last week or so as my bump has dropped I feel a lot less exhuasted/out of breath, (although having said that I'd still happily take a stenna chair lift rather than haul my huge bulk up the stairs..!)

Ah . . Stenna Chair Lifts . . . never have I paid so much attention to their adverts!

Oh yes, i remember this feeling. Stairs were a major mission for me (not good when the only bathroom is upstairs!) and I couldn't walk to the shop at the end of the road. Spent the last 5 weeks slobbing about on the sofa.

sorry!

if you are worried about it, mention it to your MW though.

I am 34 weeks and feel the same! Hoping baby will be early to relieve this. Carrying a toddler up and down stairs constantly does not help either!! LOL.

Seriously though as long as your BP etc is fine then should be nothing to worry about. Just listen to your body and don't feel guilty to REST every chance you get!!! S*d the housework ;)

I am 36 weeks and I could've written your post. I feel so worn out all of the time. I too am very breathless and I can't sleep properly and so the exhaustion cycle just continues.

I actually can't believe that I might have another 4 weeks of feeling like this (not even thinking that it might be 6)!

The shining light in all of this is when I had DS1 I just remember being so happy not to be pregnant anymore (and breathless, an insomniac etc.) that the night feeds etc. never felt that bad, because when I could sleep I did.

Sorry....went on a bit there, but I think this is the most exhausted I have ever felt in my life.

me too, me too, me too!!!!
I'm 36w and feel like the baby is going to fall out of me anytime.
If I sit too long I ache, if I stand too long I feel faint, if I walk, I waddle and feel exhausted. I try and minimise the number of trips up the stairs as much as possible.
I can't sleep well at night. I'm totally fed up and DH is fed up with me moaning too. He just doesn't get it!

I am 36wks tomorrow.

I broke my ankle nearly 4wks ago and I can thoroughly recommend it as a way of taking one's mind of late pregnancy tiredness and niggles.

Seriously though, it is perfectly normal to feel like shit at this stage. Have you had your iron levels checked out? Breathlessness could mean you are a bit anaemic.